[Analysis of serum levels of selenium, zinc, and copper in 132 patients with malignant tumors].

Since March 1987 to December 1988, serum levels of selenium, zinc, and copper were determined in 132 patients with malignant tumors and in a control group of 43 patients with benign disease. The mean level of selenium in 132 patients with malignant tumors was 0.074 microgram/ml, it was lower than in the control group (P less than 0.01). Zinc was 0.814 microgram/ml, it was low compared to the control group (P less than 0.05). Copper was 1.27 microgram/ml, it was significantly increased (P less than 0.05). Cu/Zn was higher than in the control group (P less than 0.01). An analysis of all the readings showed that the lowest levels of selenium and zinc are associated with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.